Leaving Dehli...

I apologize for the strange layout of the pictures. No matter what I do, I can't seem to figure out how to arrange them in a pretty way. These three pictures are from Vindravin.

So...hmmm, I was pretty sick towards the end of my stay in Dehli. For a solid week I could not leave the bathroom, (though I will spare you all the gruesome details). Finally me along with another girl had to go to the hospital to get medicine. It was quite an experience...The doctor prescribed me some drugs but he said that I was very dehydrated and I needed to get an IV to rush some fluids in. I thought, sure no big deal I will just sit for a couple of hours and get some liquids. Unfortunetly, none of the nurses spoke any english which made me feel uncomfortable, as my Hindi skills are nothing to write home about. I kept trying to tell them which vein worked best becauase I know I have difficult veins, but they didn't understand me. They kept poking into different parts of my hand, which was less then pleasant. Finally they tried my wrist and they thought they got it in the vein. They began the flow of liquid and my wrist began to swell up because it was draining into my hand, not my vein, it hurt so bad! I started to cry because I was overwhelmed, in pain, and felt like crap. The nurses were alarmed and kept yelling at me to stop, which of course only made it worse. To make a long story short they finally got it in, and I got some liquids and medicine. I am feeling much better now although now I have a cold...

We left Dehli and headed into Dehra Dun which was a pleasant town compared to Dehli. We stayed on a farm that specializes in organic farming techniques. It was so peaceful and were able to do some farming work for them in the mornings. I also took my first bucket shower, which I very much enjoyed. I found it to be much more efficent than a regular shower and I only used one small bucket of water. Not to mention that after a really hot day a bucket of ice cold water feels amazing.

We have left Dehra Dun and have arrived in Rishikesh, which is my favorite place so far. It is right on the ganges and the town is so beautiful. I feel comfortable walking alone through the town and shopping or eating at the cafe. The people here are so freindly and are much less boisterious and "in your face" than the Dehlities I am used to. I am very sad that we are only spending three days here as I feel as though I could live a couple months here. I am trying to decide whether I should come back and spend some time here when the program ends. Yesturday we went white water rafting on the ganges and it was AMAZING! The rapids were up to class three, and I was lucky to get a guide who loved playing games. In the calm waters he would tip the boat over and let us swim. He also stopped and let us rock jump into the ganges, (I really wsh I had a picture, but I didn't want my camera to get wet).

Last night we went to an Ashram and obsersed aarti, which is a fire festival meant to help people realize and get in touch with their inner light. It was a beautiful thing to behold and it was led entirely by little boys who study at the ashram. They chanted and lit a fire while we clapped and sang along. Then we turned to the ganges, which was directly at our feet, and lifted candles to the air then passed them around, to share the light with eachother. Afterwards we went to sit in the Swami's hut and a woman from the ashram spoke to us about our inner light, the power of the Rishikesh, and the beauty of gangji, (or the ganges). She told us we are welcome to come and stay at the ashram anytime. It is these experiences that make me so thankful to be here.

Today we have a free day and I am planning to wonder through the city, do a little shopping, and sit on the ganges for a while. Tomorrow we leave for Hardiware for three days, then we move on to Varanassi for a month. I am excited, but at the same time it will be difficult to leave Rishikesh.

That is all I have for right now. India has been a crazy experience in these twenty-eight days, and I imagine it will only become more overwhelming, but that I will see some incredible things.

Things I have seen so far:

-giant pigs

-tons of cows, (that are very friendly)

-people pooping/peeing in the streets

-children playing soccer

-people praying in the ganges

-people washing clothes/bathing in the ganges

-my professor from Dehli kicking the shit out of some guy for groping a girl in our group

-more ahrams, temples, mosques, and ruins than I have seen in a lifetime and probably will ever see

-colors everywhere, it makes the U.S. seem devoid of color

-two types of monkeys, and both are rather mean, (we woke up to one tapping on our window this morning)
I can't think of anymore because when I try to list it I become so overwhelmed, it is endlessly difficult to communicate what my experience has been like.

From Riskikesh,

Alex